CASA Fostering Opportunities Fund to Help Youth in Foster Care

RIVERDALE, MD July 2021 – Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)/Prince George’s County has been awarded $300,000 by an anonymous donor to launch the new CASA Fostering Opportunities Fund. Starting July 2021, CASA will have $50,000 to fund opportunities for youth over the next 12 months & our generous donor will continue to replenish funds annually until all funds are expended.

The funder, who has extensive experience working with the juvenile court system in Prince George’s County, is committed to providing youth in care with access to opportunities that the Child Welfare system is unable to fund. CASA/Prince George’s County is thrilled to steward these funds and help bridge opportunity gaps that often stand in the way of youth having a childhood similar to that of their peers.

“The CASA Fostering Opportunities Fund will be instrumental in helping youth in Prince George’s County” says Executive Director Ann Marie Binsner. “While the courts are able to ensure youth have basic needs met, often youth in care have to go without the other ‘stuff.’ This fund is going to change that. Individuals working with youth can fill out a quick form to request funds for musical instruments, summer camps, braces, sports equipment, really anything that can give youth in foster care opportunities to bridge the gap between them and their peers.”

CASA/Prince George’s County works to recruit, train, and supervise volunteers that advocate for the best interest of youth in foster care. Volunteers work one on one with youth to get to know them beyond their case file, provide consistent adult support throughout the duration of their case, and make recommendations to the court regarding their best interest.

With the close-knit nature of the relationships established by volunteers & youth in care, CASA is uniquely positioned to steward funds, ensuring that youth have access to enrichment opportunities that will aid in their emotional, physical, and educational growth. This fund will help normalize their experiences while also providing access to opportunities that will benefit them for years to come.

In Prince George’s County, over 60% of the youth served are ages 14-21. These youth are tasked with preparing themselves for independence and navigating a complex foster care system. While all youth within the Prince George’s County Foster Care system are eligible to use the CASA Fostering Opportunities Fund, CASA will target these older youth to help ease their transition to independence and help them build a path to a successful and stable future.

About Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)/Prince George’s County, Inc.

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)/Prince George's County is a volunteer-based organization that partners with the juvenile court to improve the lives of children living in foster care who have suffered from abuse and neglect. With a strong commitment to diversity, CASA trains and supervises volunteers from the community who advocate for the best interest of children, recognizing and respecting each child's individual needs. By providing a voice to children in the foster care system, CASA’s goal is to help children and promote the timely placement of those we serve in safe, permanent homes.

To volunteer with CASA/Prince George’s County, call 301-209-0491 or go to www.pgcasa.org.

Media Contact

Ann Marie Binsner, Executive Director 301-209-0491

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For more information or to schedule an interview with Executive Director, Ann Marie Binsner call 301-209-0491 or email ambinsner@pgcasa.org.

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